Iraqi Kurdistan begins early voting for parliamentary elections

ERBIL, Iraqi Kurdistan region,— On Friday, militia members and security forces across Iraqi Kurdistan region headed to polling stations to participate in early voting ahead of Sunday’s general parliamentary election. This marks a critical step in a delayed election process, marred by political disputes that postponed the original vote scheduled for October 2022.

Approximately 215,960 members of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) militias and security forces were eligible to cast their votes early. Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. and are scheduled to close by 6 p.m., according to officials from the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC).

The election, now set for October 20, was delayed multiple times due to disagreements between political parties, but in June, Kurdistan region President Nechirvan Barzani confirmed the date for the vote.

In Iraqi Kurdistan, the armed forces, known as the Peshmerga, are not unified but instead consist of separate militias loyal to the two dominant political factions—the KDP, led by Massoud Barzani, and the PUK, headed by the Talabani family. These militias are deeply tied to the political interests of their respective parties and receive direct orders from party leaders.

Polling centers have been set up across the Kurdistan region and other Iraqi provinces for the early vote. A total of 165 polling centers were made available—153 in the Kurdistan Region and 12 in provinces such as Baghdad, Kirkuk, Salahaddin, Nineveh, and Diyala. These locations cater to security personnel stationed outside of the region during the election period.

Strict regulations have been put in place by the IHEC, including prohibiting voters from bringing mobile phones into polling stations. This measure aims to ensure the integrity of the voting process and prevent any potential violations.

The electoral process is being carefully monitored, with around 2,000 international observers and civil organizations overseeing the proceedings. The United Nations has deployed 25 observers, while the European Union has sent three representatives. Additionally, election observation organizations have sent over 1,600 monitors, according to IHEC spokesperson Imad Jamil.

There are 1,191 candidates competing for 100 seats in the Kurdistan parliament, including 38 candidates vying for five minority quota seats. The competition includes 823 male candidates and 368 female candidates, reflecting the diverse representation of political interests within the region.

Reports of Election Violations During Early Voting

Despite the strict guidelines, several election violations were reported during Friday’s early voting. Election monitors reported 61 violations across various polling centers in Duhok, Erbil, Sulaimani, Halabja, and other constituencies. These violations included unauthorized campaigning near polling stations and voters bringing mobile phones into the voting booths, which directly contravenes IHEC regulations.

Hogr Chato, the organizer of the Shams network for monitoring elections, highlighted these violations in a midday update. “We have been closely monitoring the election process alongside the IHEC and other relevant bodies,” Chato stated. He raised concerns that if such violations are not addressed during the special vote, they could escalate during the general election.

In some cases, election security personnel intervened to stop voters from bringing phones into the voting booths. However, Chato warned that failure to strictly enforce these regulations could lead to invalidation of ballots. According to IHEC rules, if a confirmed violation occurs, all votes cast at that specific polling center could be rendered void.

To address these concerns, IHEC officials are relying on security camera footage from polling centers. Earlier in the week, IHEC announced the installation of 22,283 security cameras across polling centers, with four cameras per polling center—two inside each voting station room and four backup units. This footage will be used to investigate complaints of violations, and severe cases could result in the closure of certain polling centers and sanctions against those responsible.

Chato also noted that campaigning continued near polling centers, despite the official end of the campaigning period earlier in the week. “We have documented campaigning activities near polling stations, with campaign posters still visible, which is a clear breach of election regulations,” he said. Some violations were recorded at polling stations outside of the Kurdistan Region as well.

The political landscape in Iraqi Kurdistan remains deeply divided between the two major political factions. The KDP, led by Massoud Barzani, maintains control over the Erbil and Duhok governorates, while the PUK, under the leadership of the Talabani family, governs the Sulaimani region. This long-standing political division has hindered the development of a unified governance structure in the Kurdistan region, with each party maintaining control over its own security forces and administration.

The early voting period represents a critical juncture in the region’s political future, with the general vote set to take place on Sunday. Despite the reported violations, the IHEC and international observers remain hopeful that the election process will continue without significant disruption.

(With files from Rudaw)